The Ruler and The Hunter //Original Countryhumans Au

Chapter 13: His Inner Demon

America didn't know what to think at first as he stood there. Gawking at the sight of so many books, glass cases and the burning lights that sent auras and waves of warmth around him.

It was an enormous place, and America stumbled slightly as he turned around to look up above the door, where pillars of marble and white stone stood tall and proud with light and dark green tendrils wrapped around them. Climbing up to the looming ceiling which seemed so far away, and spreading across it with golden flowers which bloomed with delicate petals. Almost glowing amongst the orbs of light.

He listened to the gentle humming of the light, and then the rustling of Kazakhstan's feathers as he stepped over to him, a wing arching around him almost comfortingly. A smile on his face, resting a hand on one of America's shoulders.
"Do you like it?"He asked gently, his eyes glowing softly.

America grinned and nodded, "yes!" He almost exclaimed, gripping the blazer of his uniform in his moment of excitement. Though it wasn't long until his smile faltered and he looked up at the admiral with a confused look, "but... why did you bring me here?" He asked curiously, trying his hardest to read the expression and unwritten words on Kaz's face- but to no avail.

Kazakhstan hummed, eyes narrowing and glinting, "there is something that I'd like to show you and tell you. But I must think first for a bit. To contemplate my options and ideas before I come to a final decision."
The Admiral's words were strong and confident and even America could notice the tone and the power that rang through his voice.
The voice of a man who had fought and dragged his wings through bloodshed and the death of what must have been thousands. And so he only nodded in vague understanding.

After a bit of awkward glancing around and a quiet moment between the two, Kazakhstan let America go off to wherever he wished. And the young country took no time to hesitate as he ran into the depths of the looming mass of a library.
He passed the glowing orbs of lights and pressed his face and fingers up against the glass cases that protected the numerous scrolls, vases, trinkets and necklaces that were being displayed magnificently. Staring in awe as he leapt between the cases to stare at their contents.

Even the smell of what seemed like a million herbs and spices started to become a strange yet calming craving to him, and the sounds of the flicking of pages and the distant beating of wings made his heart flutter with happiness. This place was so euphoric and beautiful; a place that made America doubt whether or not he was even awake or just experiencing an unimaginable dream.

But then there was the sound of clicking and light scraping that caught the country off-guard, and he glanced around cautiously and curiously, raising a brow. The sound dragged his gaze upwards and he almost flinched at the sight of a gang of crows that were perched on top of a few bookshelves. Cocking their heads to the sides and furrowing their wings, occasionally rubbing their beaks against the wood that surrounded them.
And though they were free birds, they made no cries or songs to each other- more moderate and tranquil like the library that they practically ruled.

America stared for a few minutes, a smile on his face as he watched them wean and clean their feathers with gentle strokes of their beaks. Envying their elegant talons and their strangely angelic wings- angels of death perhaps? Or the angels of the secrets and catacombs of the library that he stood in. A dream that had already sat in his head ever since his early memories and days of childhood; to see the clouds and to watch the burning sunset from a cliff or a mountain. To feel that cold mountain breeze and relish the clear air. To watch the birds fly into the horizon and to almost experience that feeling of flight.
The freedom and the views and sites that it brought.

The birds reminded him of Kazakhstan and his beautiful set of wings, and he couldn't help but think of the stoic and powerful Admiral who sat on his peak of power in the Kingdom. As America liked to see it; ruling the skies like a Prince.